Classics in Jazz
Frank Fontana joins a cast of jazz singers, cabaret performers and Broadway actors, singing music by Alexander McCabe and lyrics by Aeschylus to Angelou (with a bit of Shakespeare, Shaw, and many more thrown into the mix). It promises to be a swinging, eclectic evening, and it's all to support the wonderful New York Classical Theatre (http://www.NewYorkClassical.org).

* Eivind Opsvik will be performing in Canada on September 28th. For that evening's performance, our bassist will be Curtis Fye.

NOTE:
You may purchase food or drink in the Skylight Room Cabaret from a menu which includes burgers, salads, appetizers, and delicious desserts. Or treat yourself to pre-show dining in the adjacent Danny's Grand Sea Palace Restaurant, where an entreé of $12 or more will satisfy the cabaret minimum. Simply tell your server you're seeing Frank Fontana at 7:00 p.m. in the cabaret after dinner.

On September 30 and October 1, Frank will be appearing in Westfield, Massachusetts (just west of Springfield) at a brand new cabaret space. He'll join a stellar array of New York and Boston performers who are initiating a series called "The Shows At Piccolo's."

Piccolo's Ristorante is a highly regarded Italian restaurant in Westfield, owned and operated by Gianpaolo Sesti. The restaurant sits atop a small treasure -- an intimate performance space that was last used as a movie house. With the space now transformed into a cabaret-style theatre, Sesti and booking manager Bob Plasse have created "The Shows At PIccolo's" to bring the best of cabaret and jazz to the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. Frank is delighted to be a part of the fun.

On Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29, 2005, Frank returned to Danny's Skylight Room Cabaret. He performed his Natural Jazz set on both nights, a show which prompted one critic to write: "This show is a must for anyone who loves nature, beautiful songs and superb musicianship."

Joined once again by his friend and music director Wells Hanley, along with Eivind Opsvik on bass and Robby Sinclair on drums, Frank presented songs which speak of the natural world and our place in it -- words and music of Djavan, Duke Ellington, Stephen Sondheim, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Richard Rodney Bennett, and many more.

Both of these performances were recorded for release later this year as Frank's debut CD: Natural Jazz -- Frank Fontana Live at Danny's. We anticipate a CD release in early fall.

If you were in attendance at either the June 28th or June 29th performance, please contact Manhattan Live Performance with the information printed on the coupon you received -- you'll receive a complimentary copy of the CD when it's released.

directed (and performed in) Sue Matsuki's cabaret show A Tribute To The Gals Who Make Me Want To Sing which was seen at Odette's in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and at The Duplex in Greenwich Village, New York City;

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